NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team earned a pair of victories over Roxbury Community College, at Flowers Park, on Saturday afternoon. Monroe won the first game, 18-4. The second game was won via a forfeit. The Express had a 21-3 lead in the top of the third during the second contest.

The Express (2-10) fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning in Game 1. However, the Blue and Gold responded by scoring nine runs in the bottom frame, sparked by a leadoff inside-the-park home run to right by Ciara Harriott.

In the bottom of the second, with a run already in, Jaliyah Rosario stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third, nobody out. She lined the ball deep to left field which dropped on the ground and rolled all the way to the wall. She rounded all the bases for a three-run inside-the-park home run to pad the Express' advantage to 13-2. 

Roxbury (0-2) scored a run in the top of the third, but in the bottom of the fourth, an RBI single by Brendalie Oliviery-Baker was the key to a five-run frame for the Express to extend their benefit to 18-3. The Tigers scored a run in the top of the fourth, but it was not enough as Monroe earned its first win of the season by a score of 18-4. 

For the Express, Oliviery-Baker went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Lauren Vuorinen went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI single, three runs scored, a base on balls, and a stolen base. Sonia Rosa went 2-for-4, scored twice, and stole a base. Alicia Negrillo singled, crossed home plate twice, and stole three bags. Harriott scored three times and picked up a stolen base. Genesis Matias scored twice, drove in a run, walked, and stole a base. Yashira Centeno tallied an RBI. 

Judaiah Gourdine had a big game for Monroe. In the circle, she struck out six batters in five innings pitched, and gave up just two earned runs, to earn a complete-game victory. At the plate, she went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI single, as well as two runs scored.

Game 2 was declared a forfeit by Roxbury in the third inning, with Monroe up 21-3. Although the stats will not count for the second contest, here are some acknowledgments for the Express during Game 2:

Rosa hit a three-run inside-the-park home run, scorched an RBI double, and scored twice. Amandy Rodriguez drilled a two-run triple, scored twice, and earned a base on balls. Matias notched an RBI single, scored two times, drove in two runs, and walked. Vuorinen produced a double, walked two times, and scored on three occasions. Harriott scored three times, stole two bases, drilled an RBI single, and walked. Rosario added an RBI single of her own, walked, and stole a base. Oliviery-Baker singled and crossed home plate two times. Gourdine scored three runs, singled, and picked up an RBI. Negrillo scored a run and singled.

In the circle, Melissa Martinez pitched two shutout innings for the Express. Jalyn Miner struck out two batters in relief.

Monroe – Bronx will play a pair of games at Middlesex College, out in Edison, N.J., on Tuesday afternoon. The Colts are receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III Softball National Poll. First pitch at Middlesex Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe University marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.

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